Episode 7. If You Can Handle It
What kind of good person in the world would suddenly plunge a knife into someone's throat and start a conversation?
Thinking back on the feeling of that cold blade, her heart felt even calmer.
Some pain crushes her, leaving her empty, but some awakens the will to live.
'Now...'
It was time to find a way to live, to fight and confront, even if a terrible price awaited her.
Her gaze, gazing down the short corridor Lacrahan had walked, grew firmer.
Thump.
As she followed Lacrahan into the Bercheria room, silence fell again in the corridor.
A rustle.
Soon after, a shadow suddenly emerged from the end of the corridor, then swiftly disappeared into the darkness.
***
Emperor Gerard of the Periat Empire was originally the third of five brothers.
There were many reasons why the third son became Emperor.
The Emperor, who had been in good health, suddenly fell ill and died three days later. His eldest son also died of the same symptoms. His second son, a younger brother, died suddenly of a heart attack while out hunting.
His only remaining brother, the son of a concubine, was driven mad for no apparent reason and banished from the palace.
Ultimately, his younger sister, Kelita, was the only one left.
She survived because Kelita was not a target for Gerard.
She was simply innocent and kind.
"Good night, Your Majesty, the Emperor?"
She was a beautiful idiot.
"My bed is always comfortable, so don't worry."
Gerard, sitting on the throne, extended his hand with a kind expression.
Kelita, who had been standing beneath the dais like a pretty doll, glided over to Gerard.
As soon as she kissed the back of his hand, another hand emerged from beside her.
The diamond ring it held boasted a price tag that could feed all the people of Periat for a month.
“My pretty Kelita. Are you ready to go north?”
“Of course. I’ve prepared in advance, so don’t worry.”
Kelita, still smiling, kissed the Emperor’s mistress, who was only a few years older than her.
She met their gaze gently and walked down the stairs.
“Hmm.”
Gerard sat down, leaning back deeply on the throne.
His mistress, Lyone, sat right next to him, her hips resting on the ornate gold handrail.
Her hand rested effortlessly on Gerard’s shoulder.
Lyone watched Kelita as she walked, the hem of her dress fluttering.
She smiled, narrowing her eyes, before whispering to Gerard.
“Your Majesty, our Kelita is so pretty, but doesn’t she always seem to make things difficult?”
“Hmm.”
“This time, you must order him to get a definitive answer to the engagement. Only then will we be able to tie Lacrahan’s ankles.”
Gerard stroked his beard, pretending to be dignified, but he was completely focused on the voice of his government whispering in his ear.
“My esteemed Emperor. Remember that everyone in the imperial family must exist for Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Gerard’s lips quirked upwards with a smile.
“Because Your Majesty, the Emperor is the greatest in the world.”
Gerard’s lips, now loose with elation, nodded to Kelita.
“Kelita. This time, you must get a definitive answer from Lacrahan. We can’t delay the marriage any longer.”
“Not an engagement?”
“Marriage.”
“But Your Majesty, the Emperor. I...”
“Presumptuous.”
Kelita blinked at Gerard’s voice.
“How dare you contradict me?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Kelita, who had rejected his engagement twice, was suddenly asked to get a marriage promise.
It was an embarrassing situation.
But she was the Emperor's younger sister, Kelita, obedient and pretty.
A bright smile spread across Kelita's lips.
"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you, Your Majesty."
Gerard and Lyone were satisfied with her appearance.
Smiles spread across the lips of those around her, including the maids and members of the Imperial Knights.
"How can Princess Kelita be so beautiful?"
"Isn't the friendship between the two of you truly beautiful?"
It was a picturesque scene.
The imperial palace of the Periat Empire was just like yesterday, and again yesterday.
Today was so peaceful.
Lacrahan stood in the middle of the room, waiting for Bercheria.
She followed him in late and carefully closed the door.
“Are you here to answer my proposal?”
“Similar.”
“Then let’s hear the answer first.”
“Hmm.”
Lacrahan looked at her, his steps uneven.
His face strained to appear composed. But he couldn’t hide the clenched hands, the tense eyelids, and the anxiously bitten lips.
She desperately needed his help.
Of course, Lacrahan desperately needed her skills, too.
He wanted his people to stop starving, and Bercheria was the only one who could solve that problem.
“Before you answer, there’s something you need to hear.”
At that moment, he was the one who was more desperate than anyone else, and that had been the case from the beginning.
“How have you lived until now?”
But negotiation isn’t about that.
It’s about hiding your cards and waiting for the other person to show theirs first.
You have to be patient and use the situation to your advantage.
“Who on earth were you with that caused you to abandon your duty as a goddess? I want you to tell me everything.”
“Why should I tell you that?”
Lacrahan pulled his lips into a smile.
“Because if you don’t tell me, this threat you started will be for nothing.”
“...”
Bercheria’s eyes tightened.
Eyes, nose, mouth. Every single thing about the man’s handsome face was incredibly repulsive.
‘Why did I have to regain my powers next to a guy like this?’
She knew it was useless to resent him. She also knew that this man was the only one she could cling to. And this man didn’t seem to want to give her time to think.
“Didn’t I tell you? If you stall, there’s no next time.”
“Hey!”
Bercheria strode forward, blocking his path.
“Are you going to keep acting like this?”
“Funny. There’s no next time for making me angry.”
“You really...!”
The upturned golden eyes were fierce, threatening to swallow the calm black ones.
“Don’t think I have any recourse.”
“...?”
Bercheria’s head tilted, and one side of her lips elegantly lifted.
“If you go on like this, I won’t stop this rain.”
“What kind of rain...!”
Kuguang!
A thunderous clap of thunder could be heard from the sky.
And soon, the sound of pouring rain, as if it would shatter the castle, filled the room.
“Until not a single one of your people remains.”
Bercheria’s voice overlapped ominously.
“This rain won’t stop.”
The raindrops streaming down the window fell, casting shadows on Bercheria’s cheeks.
The amount of rain that had fallen over the past few days was already terrifying, but now it was several times heavier.
If it kept pouring like this, a flood could occur in just a few minutes.
The two stared at each other fiercely, the sound of the rain that threatened to shatter the castle in the background.
Finally, Lacrahan’s chin snapped, muscles bulging.
“Is this Bercheria’s true nature?”
“That doesn’t sound like something a human who dared to threaten a god would say.”
“I have no intention of worshipping a god who abandoned humans and ran away.”
“Look! I!”
At that moment, a crimson spark ignited in Bercheria’s eyes.
“I have never betrayed humans, nor have I abandoned them and run away!”
Lightning flashed outside the window, as if expressing her anger.
“It was humans who truly abandoned me, not me.”
Lacrahan’s eyebrows twitched.
Abandoned by humans?
Do you think you’ve been abandoned by humans?
“You said you were curious about how I lived?”
Words she had never imagined were spilling from Bercheria’s mouth.
“Do you really want to know what I’ve been doing all this time?”
Her golden hair waved in the air.
“If you can handle it, I’ll tell you.”
Lacrahan paused.
“Can you handle it?”
“Yes.”
“I simply can’t bear it.”
He needed time to figure out what had happened to this woman.
Lacrahan ripped Bercheria's hand away.
In an instant, her hand was buried in his palm, and he gripped the back of her hand until the heat was painful.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but what have humans endured since you disappeared? How have they lived?"
A calm voice squeaked out, scratching his throat.
"Don't act like you haven't seen anything."
"..."
Bercheria's face turned pale.
Her hand felt as if it were burning.
The heat Lacrahan had felt in the burning warehouse wasn't an illusion.
It was so hot it felt like it would melt her skin to the core.
"But you must tell me. How will you pay for neglecting humans until now?"
Bercheria's heart raced under Lacrahan's oppressive gaze.
Her strength hadn't even returned to half.
If she lost her senses or got angry, the weather would start to change its course again.
So she had to calm down.
"Ha."
The thunder and lightning gradually subsided.
What Bercheria wanted wasn't a confrontation with this man.
Using him as a shield, she needed to regain her strength and survive until her mother returned.
Only then could she atone for her sins against all the people of this land who endured without the goddess's protection.
"I."
Bercheria's dry lips were crushed against her white teeth.
Just think about surviving.
Just surviving.
Her voice settled into a calm tone.
"I'm already being punished."
Lacrahan's gaze crumpled as they met.
"What punishment are you receiving?"
As their eyes met, the strength in his hand slowly drained away.
At the same time, the sound of the rain pounding against the window became faint, almost inaudible.
"You'll understand."
Lacrahan added strength to his voice.
"Now."
"..."
"Right now."
Bercheria squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again.
In a fight where no one can yield, the wisest course is for each person to take a step back.
"Let me go."
Lacrahan's gaze landed on Bercheria's swollen, red wrist.
He extended his hand, slowly releasing her, and spoke in a slow voice.
"If they find out you're Bercheria, everyone here will start to hate you."
"Me?"
Lacrahan exhaled deeply, sweeping his tangled black hair from his forehead.
That single movement released the tension.
"With your protection gone, every nation on this continent has invaded this place."
"War, you mean?"
Bercheria's shoulders shook.
She had only expected the people to suffer from the weather.
But war?
"I lost tens of thousands of knights there, my father, my brother, and even my mother."
What kind of good person in the world would suddenly plunge a knife into someone's throat and start a conversation?
Thinking back on the feeling of that cold blade, her heart felt even calmer.
Some pain crushes her, leaving her empty, but some awakens the will to live.
'Now...'
It was time to find a way to live, to fight and confront, even if a terrible price awaited her.
Her gaze, gazing down the short corridor Lacrahan had walked, grew firmer.
Thump.
As she followed Lacrahan into the Bercheria room, silence fell again in the corridor.
A rustle.
Soon after, a shadow suddenly emerged from the end of the corridor, then swiftly disappeared into the darkness.
***
Emperor Gerard of the Periat Empire was originally the third of five brothers.
There were many reasons why the third son became Emperor.
The Emperor, who had been in good health, suddenly fell ill and died three days later. His eldest son also died of the same symptoms. His second son, a younger brother, died suddenly of a heart attack while out hunting.
His only remaining brother, the son of a concubine, was driven mad for no apparent reason and banished from the palace.
Ultimately, his younger sister, Kelita, was the only one left.
She survived because Kelita was not a target for Gerard.
She was simply innocent and kind.
"Good night, Your Majesty, the Emperor?"
She was a beautiful idiot.
"My bed is always comfortable, so don't worry."
Gerard, sitting on the throne, extended his hand with a kind expression.
Kelita, who had been standing beneath the dais like a pretty doll, glided over to Gerard.
As soon as she kissed the back of his hand, another hand emerged from beside her.
The diamond ring it held boasted a price tag that could feed all the people of Periat for a month.
“My pretty Kelita. Are you ready to go north?”
“Of course. I’ve prepared in advance, so don’t worry.”
Kelita, still smiling, kissed the Emperor’s mistress, who was only a few years older than her.
She met their gaze gently and walked down the stairs.
“Hmm.”
Gerard sat down, leaning back deeply on the throne.
His mistress, Lyone, sat right next to him, her hips resting on the ornate gold handrail.
Her hand rested effortlessly on Gerard’s shoulder.
Lyone watched Kelita as she walked, the hem of her dress fluttering.
She smiled, narrowing her eyes, before whispering to Gerard.
“Your Majesty, our Kelita is so pretty, but doesn’t she always seem to make things difficult?”
“Hmm.”
“This time, you must order him to get a definitive answer to the engagement. Only then will we be able to tie Lacrahan’s ankles.”
Gerard stroked his beard, pretending to be dignified, but he was completely focused on the voice of his government whispering in his ear.
“My esteemed Emperor. Remember that everyone in the imperial family must exist for Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Gerard’s lips quirked upwards with a smile.
“Because Your Majesty, the Emperor is the greatest in the world.”
Gerard’s lips, now loose with elation, nodded to Kelita.
“Kelita. This time, you must get a definitive answer from Lacrahan. We can’t delay the marriage any longer.”
“Not an engagement?”
“Marriage.”
“But Your Majesty, the Emperor. I...”
“Presumptuous.”
Kelita blinked at Gerard’s voice.
“How dare you contradict me?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Kelita, who had rejected his engagement twice, was suddenly asked to get a marriage promise.
It was an embarrassing situation.
But she was the Emperor's younger sister, Kelita, obedient and pretty.
A bright smile spread across Kelita's lips.
"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you, Your Majesty."
Gerard and Lyone were satisfied with her appearance.
Smiles spread across the lips of those around her, including the maids and members of the Imperial Knights.
"How can Princess Kelita be so beautiful?"
"Isn't the friendship between the two of you truly beautiful?"
It was a picturesque scene.
The imperial palace of the Periat Empire was just like yesterday, and again yesterday.
Today was so peaceful.
***
Lacrahan stood in the middle of the room, waiting for Bercheria.
She followed him in late and carefully closed the door.
“Are you here to answer my proposal?”
“Similar.”
“Then let’s hear the answer first.”
“Hmm.”
Lacrahan looked at her, his steps uneven.
His face strained to appear composed. But he couldn’t hide the clenched hands, the tense eyelids, and the anxiously bitten lips.
She desperately needed his help.
Of course, Lacrahan desperately needed her skills, too.
He wanted his people to stop starving, and Bercheria was the only one who could solve that problem.
“Before you answer, there’s something you need to hear.”
At that moment, he was the one who was more desperate than anyone else, and that had been the case from the beginning.
“How have you lived until now?”
But negotiation isn’t about that.
It’s about hiding your cards and waiting for the other person to show theirs first.
You have to be patient and use the situation to your advantage.
“Who on earth were you with that caused you to abandon your duty as a goddess? I want you to tell me everything.”
“Why should I tell you that?”
Lacrahan pulled his lips into a smile.
“Because if you don’t tell me, this threat you started will be for nothing.”
“...”
Bercheria’s eyes tightened.
Eyes, nose, mouth. Every single thing about the man’s handsome face was incredibly repulsive.
‘Why did I have to regain my powers next to a guy like this?’
She knew it was useless to resent him. She also knew that this man was the only one she could cling to. And this man didn’t seem to want to give her time to think.
“Didn’t I tell you? If you stall, there’s no next time.”
“Hey!”
Bercheria strode forward, blocking his path.
“Are you going to keep acting like this?”
“Funny. There’s no next time for making me angry.”
“You really...!”
The upturned golden eyes were fierce, threatening to swallow the calm black ones.
“Don’t think I have any recourse.”
“...?”
Bercheria’s head tilted, and one side of her lips elegantly lifted.
“If you go on like this, I won’t stop this rain.”
“What kind of rain...!”
Kuguang!
A thunderous clap of thunder could be heard from the sky.
And soon, the sound of pouring rain, as if it would shatter the castle, filled the room.
“Until not a single one of your people remains.”
Bercheria’s voice overlapped ominously.
“This rain won’t stop.”
The raindrops streaming down the window fell, casting shadows on Bercheria’s cheeks.
The amount of rain that had fallen over the past few days was already terrifying, but now it was several times heavier.
If it kept pouring like this, a flood could occur in just a few minutes.
The two stared at each other fiercely, the sound of the rain that threatened to shatter the castle in the background.
Finally, Lacrahan’s chin snapped, muscles bulging.
“Is this Bercheria’s true nature?”
“That doesn’t sound like something a human who dared to threaten a god would say.”
“I have no intention of worshipping a god who abandoned humans and ran away.”
“Look! I!”
At that moment, a crimson spark ignited in Bercheria’s eyes.
“I have never betrayed humans, nor have I abandoned them and run away!”
Lightning flashed outside the window, as if expressing her anger.
“It was humans who truly abandoned me, not me.”
Lacrahan’s eyebrows twitched.
Abandoned by humans?
Do you think you’ve been abandoned by humans?
“You said you were curious about how I lived?”
Words she had never imagined were spilling from Bercheria’s mouth.
“Do you really want to know what I’ve been doing all this time?”
Her golden hair waved in the air.
“If you can handle it, I’ll tell you.”
Lacrahan paused.
“Can you handle it?”
“Yes.”
“I simply can’t bear it.”
He needed time to figure out what had happened to this woman.
Lacrahan ripped Bercheria's hand away.
In an instant, her hand was buried in his palm, and he gripped the back of her hand until the heat was painful.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but what have humans endured since you disappeared? How have they lived?"
A calm voice squeaked out, scratching his throat.
"Don't act like you haven't seen anything."
"..."
Bercheria's face turned pale.
Her hand felt as if it were burning.
The heat Lacrahan had felt in the burning warehouse wasn't an illusion.
It was so hot it felt like it would melt her skin to the core.
"But you must tell me. How will you pay for neglecting humans until now?"
Bercheria's heart raced under Lacrahan's oppressive gaze.
Her strength hadn't even returned to half.
If she lost her senses or got angry, the weather would start to change its course again.
So she had to calm down.
"Ha."
The thunder and lightning gradually subsided.
What Bercheria wanted wasn't a confrontation with this man.
Using him as a shield, she needed to regain her strength and survive until her mother returned.
Only then could she atone for her sins against all the people of this land who endured without the goddess's protection.
"I."
Bercheria's dry lips were crushed against her white teeth.
Just think about surviving.
Just surviving.
Her voice settled into a calm tone.
"I'm already being punished."
Lacrahan's gaze crumpled as they met.
"What punishment are you receiving?"
As their eyes met, the strength in his hand slowly drained away.
At the same time, the sound of the rain pounding against the window became faint, almost inaudible.
"You'll understand."
Lacrahan added strength to his voice.
"Now."
"..."
"Right now."
Bercheria squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again.
In a fight where no one can yield, the wisest course is for each person to take a step back.
"Let me go."
Lacrahan's gaze landed on Bercheria's swollen, red wrist.
He extended his hand, slowly releasing her, and spoke in a slow voice.
"If they find out you're Bercheria, everyone here will start to hate you."
"Me?"
Lacrahan exhaled deeply, sweeping his tangled black hair from his forehead.
That single movement released the tension.
"With your protection gone, every nation on this continent has invaded this place."
"War, you mean?"
Bercheria's shoulders shook.
She had only expected the people to suffer from the weather.
But war?
"I lost tens of thousands of knights there, my father, my brother, and even my mother."
Lacrahan's voice was painfully strained, as if trying to suppress the pain he'd been hiding all along.
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